Honestly, what a lot of bull

I am laughing... yah, yah, yah... you know I simply had to use that phrase as a title sometime on this blog, don't you? I was in Spain after all – it was inevitable, if predictable.

Whatever you may think of bullfighting (and I shall not engage in a debate with you on it) you must, at the least, recognize the beauty, passion, drama, bravery and skill of its torero's.

Side note: Torero is the Spanish word describing any of the performers who participate in the bullfight. In English the torero is called the toreador. Interestingly, this term does not exist in Spanish but it is invented by Georges Bizet for his opera Carmen. Evidently he needed the syllables of the word to match the cadence of the song (thank you Wikipedia for this fact). The main performer, who is the leader of the entourage and the one who kills the bull is addressed as maestro (master), the formal title is matador de toros (killer of bulls).

While travelling in Spain you cannot avoid the reality of this historic and cultural sport. Each city and many small towns have their own bull rings and you encounter symbols, statues, posters and monuments to it and its famous matadors all over the country. Antonio described how there are even temporary bull rings that travel over the country for local bullfights.

Black Bull silhouette billboards are peppered along the ditches all over Spain's highway system. Antonio explained their history...

The origins of these symbols of Spain only date back to the 1950s when they – along with large billboards of red and black bottles – were erected as advertisements for sherry by the Tio Pepe company. In 1994 the government banned roadside billboards – a good decision since the countryside of Spain is so incredibly beautiful and who wants the gorgeous views blocked by ads? However, there was such a cry and local protests regarding these two particular images. Consequently they alone were allowed to remain, although they could no longer make any reference to the company or products for sale.

These billboards have now turned into a symbol of Spain itself, the Black Bulls in particular representing Spain's very culture and vitality. For some Spaniards they represent “fertility” and legend has it that barren couples make love in the shadow of its giant cojones (testicles) to help in conception. 

Following are photos of some statues, posters, and exterior shots of a variety of different bullrings from a variety of different locations – Madrid, Malaga, Ronda (oldest in Spain, I think), Mijas.